The Medical Assistant is responsible for supporting Nursing and/or Prescriber staff in activities related to clients' physical and behavioral health, medications, and rehabilitation and support services, and sharing shift-management responsibility with other staff.

Essential Functions:

Medical Assistant Client Care Activities: Conducts person-centered client care services to support health, wellness, and increased independence for individuals served as evidenced by:

a) Assists Nurse in conducting client assessment of health, mental status, physical health, substance use, social development, and daily living skills.

b) Schedules, and administers medical assessments of client physical health, making referrals to community physicians as appropriate and coordinates psychiatric treatment with medical treatment as appropriate.

c) Provides direct clinical services to clients and/or groups related to topics that may include, but are not limited to, symptom management/education, daily living skills, hygiene, physical health, nutrition/food education, social skills, and community resources.

d) Conducts Travel / Transportation as appropriate related to client needs including, home visits, client appointments, hospital visits, pharmacy visits.

e) Provides symptom education to clients and staff as appropriate on topics including but not limited to psychopharmacology, mental health conditions/symptoms, physical health conditions/symptoms, wellness, and safety.

f) Provides on-call intervention as required.

Prescriber Support: Assists nursing staff and medication prescriber as evidenced by:

a) Arranges for required lab work as appropriate.

b) Process refill request, includes review of client chart, assessment of appropriateness of request, and consult with prescriber as required.

c) Completes prior authorization for medication processing (includes review of client chart, assessment of med need & potential alternatives, consult with prescriber)

d) Under direction/supervision of Nurse, completes in-person assessment including physical assessment of symptoms, presentation, vitals, etc. and communicates information to prescriber.

Medications and Medication Room Support: Assists nursing staff in activities related to medication room operation and compliance as evidenced by:

a) Under direction of nurse, properly maintains, disposes of, and orders medications.

b) Awareness and support of tracking and security of medications including controlled substances.

c) Under director of nurse, receiving and disseminating medication in accordance with agency and pharmacy requirements.

d) Participates in providing medication administration and medical services as appropriate including injection administration.

e) Assures that all needed medical supplies are appropriately stocked and medication orders/changes are noted and ordered in a timely fashion.

f) Assist nurse with preparation and ongoing compliance related licensing requirements including pharmacy audits and state med room licensure.

Service Team Approach: Participates as an active treatment team member serving individuals with mental health and substance use issues as evidenced by:

a) Demonstrating the ability to recognize and identify symptoms of mental illness and substance use.

b) Participating as a member of a multi-disciplinary team approach to treatment and recovery.

c) Consults and coordinates with internal and external providers and relevant treatment team members to maintain coordination in the treatment process.

Outreach, Engagement, Follow-Up: Provides comprehensive outreach, engagement, and follow up to assigned individuals as evidenced by:

a) Providing comprehensive outreach and follow up to all assigned individuals including contact attempts over the phone, in-person, in the home etc.

b) Demonstrating the ability to engage and develop rapport with individuals presenting with a variety of symptoms/presentations.

Cultural Competence and Diversity: Provides culturally appropriate services to diverse populations as evidenced by:

a) Providing services that are person-centered.

b) Providing services that are culturally relevant.

c) Providing a non-judgmental, open, and welcoming approach to diverse populations.

Documentation: Completed documentation that meets identified expectations as evidenced by:

a) Documenting all services provided within expected time frames.

b) Documenting all services provided in a manner that meets service definitions, regulatory standards, and agency expectations.

c) Documenting all services provided in a manner that is person-centered and meets quality improvement goals.

Efficiency and Productivity: Consistently meeting established productivity standards as evidenced by:

a) Demonstrating excellent organizational skills.

b) Demonstrating effective use of time management techniques.

c) Demonstrating the use of effective engagement skills.

d) Consistently meeting established productivity standards.

Staff Development Activities: Participates in staff development activities to increase skills and professional development as evidenced by:

a) Participating in and completing all required trainings in an accurate and timely manner.

b) Identifying and requesting training or skill enhancement opportunities.

c) Engaging in cross-training activities with other team members.

d) Attending and participating in required meetings and supervision sessions.

e) Demonstrates the ability to apply supervisory recommendations to work performance.

Other: Completes other administrative support duties and special projects as developed and assigned.

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED
• Current Medical Assistance Certification or LPN.
• At least 1 year relevant experience working with the severely mentally ill in an inpatient or outpatient psychiatric setting preferred.
• Knowledge of psychotic and mood disorders, their related medications and potential side effects, required strongly preferred.
• OTHER: Valid drivers' license and meets the driving privileges guidelines established in HR Policy 12.6 "Vehicle Safety and Client Transportation."

Knowledge and Skills:

Demonstrated success in the following areas:

• Ability to manage time to meet all deadlines.
• Ability to recognize and identify symptoms of mental illness and suicide and risk potential and respond appropriately.
• Good verbal and written skills.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred but not required.